Michelle Cauley was awarded the 2026 "Environmental Educator of the Year" Trees Award at the Trees Bowl and Awards Ceremony held in Fargo on August 29, 2026. Nominations were received from across the state, and the award winners were recognized by the North Dakota Forest Service and North Dakota State University.

Cauley has an impressive history in environmental education, including directing outdoor summer camps, leading field experiences, and developing curriculum. Currently serving as the Associate Professor of Natural Resources and Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) with Dakota College at Bottineau, her work directly with students instills a love and curiosity for the world around them. She is a passionate community builder, involved in planning and hosting various events in the Bottineau area, such as their annual Earth Day Festival, which continues to grow each year. As director of the Bottineau Rockhounds and Botno Community Rocks, she and her members spearheaded an effort that encouraged students to become involved with creating legislation to name “Knife River Flint” as North Dakota’s official state rock. This was signed into law on March 26, 2025.

Cauley is a Project WET, Project Learning Tree, and Project WILD facilitator in North Dakota, helping to equip other educators with the tools and confidence to teach nature-based education. She has a passion for early childhood and building North Dakota’s facilitator team, ultimately helping to make environmental education accessible and available for all educators and students across the state.

During the awards ceremony, NDSU President Marshall Stewart and State Forester Tom Claeys presented each winner with a special Trees Awards plaque. The award winners were also recognized on the field during the NDSU half-time activities at the winning Trees Bowl football game in the Fargodome.